Microplastics

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has been commissioned to identify significant sources in Sweden of plastic microparticles released into the marine environment and to act to reduce the origination and release of microplastics from these sources. The commission was reported to the Ministry of the Environment and Energy on 2 June 2017.

In August 2015, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency was commissioned by the government to identify the key sources in Sweden of the release of microplastics into the ocean and to take action to reduce the discharge levels from these sources. This report presents the results of the Swedish EPA’s work towards achieving these objectives. Results from the initial comprehensive survey of sources and distribution of microplastics in Sweden are presented, as well as a selection of the key sources of microplastics. The report also contains an assessment of the ability to take action on emissions from these sources and proposals for action.

The occurrence of microplastics in the marine environment has attracted more and more attention in recent years. Microplastics is a generic term for tiny plastic fragments ranging from 1 nm to 5 mm. The microplastics found in the world’s oceans have different sources. Microplastics can be formed unintentionally when plastic items are torn and plastic particles released, or when we do not reuse, recycle or properly dispose of plastic materials. In these cases, the plastic turns into debris that is gradually fragmented into smaller parts and released in nature. Plastic originally manufactured as small pellets or granules has also been detected.

The following environmental quality objectives formed the starting point for this work: A Balanced Marine Environment and Flourishing Coastal Areas, Flourishing Lakes and Streams, and A Non-Toxic Environment. Reducing the release of microplastics into oceans, lakes and waterways contributes to achieving these goals.

The tasks of the commission were conducted by the Swedish EPA in cooperation with the relevant authorities, as well as with the participation of concerned organisations and other stakeholders between August 2015 and May 2017.

Results

Key sources of microplastics in Sweden

The IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has been tasked by the Swedish EPA to map the possible sources and transport pathways of microplastics in Sweden. The resulting survey provides a first overview of the source of microplastics and their pathways to the ocean.

Based on the survey results, we have concluded that the following sources should primarily be addressed in Sweden: Roads and tyres, artificial turf pitches, industrial production and management of primary plastic, washing of synthetics, boat hull paint and littering. According to estimates, these sources represent the biggest release of microplastics to the ocean in Sweden.

Today, there is a paucity of knowledge about how microplastics are transported from the source to oceans, lakes and waterways. Possible pathways are via the air, stormwater and snow dumping as well as wastewater treatment plants and slurry spreading. For the majority of the identified sources, it has been impossible to calculate the percentage of microplastics that are transported to oceans, lakes and waterways. The volumes that were successfully estimated include the release from sources in which the discharge occurred directly into the water – such as from boat hull washing – and distribution via wastewater treatment plants. The volumes of microplastics that reach Swedish coastal waters from different sources were therefore not possible to estimate.

The survey was based on available published data. One major difficulty was the lack of data. The knowledge gaps and methodological difficulties identified in this study make an important contribution to further research on microplastics in Sweden.

Assessment of the ability to regulate the release of microplastics in Sweden

In the short term, the ability to prevent pollution and reduce the distribution of microplastics using earmarked funds and targeted actions at the national level is viewed as limited. For the longer term, building up the knowledge base is crucial for preventing the occurrence of microplastics release as well as for reducing their distribution.

Today, we lack sufficient scientific knowledge to make accurate conclusions about how microplastics – from road and tyres, artificial turf pitches, industrial production and management of primary plastics, washing of synthetics, boat hull paint and littering – are transported to the ocean, lakes and waterways in Sweden and the environmental impact they make. At the same time, the prevalence of microplastics in the oceans – even in Swedish coastal freshwaters – is a fact. With reference to the precautionary principle, the Swedish EPA still encourages measures that can be implemented at a reasonable cost and with reasonable results by affected stakeholders despite the uncertainties.

Many of the events that cause the release and distribution of microplastics are the same ones that cause general particulate emissions from the majority of the assessed sources. Controls are already available that regulate many of these events. Many of the measures taken today to both prevent and reduce discharge of various substances into the water and air are also expected to have an effect on the release of microplastics. Synergies between measures for reducing the release of microplastics and current or planned actions in other areas should therefore be utilized now.

Proposals for action

Knowledge-building is essential for preventing and reducing the release of microplastics in the long term, as are dialogue and information that raise stakeholder awareness of microplastics issues. Therefore, we have developed proposals for action that primarily aim to improve both the body of knowledge and the awareness of microplastics through research and development, guidance, dialogue and information. In parallel with national measures, continued efforts in the EU and internationally are needed to reduce the discharge of macroplastics as well as microplastics into oceans, lakes and waterways.

Knowledge-building

The knowledge gaps and methodological difficulties identified in this study make an important contribution to further research on microplastics in Sweden.

For one, we propose that the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute be commissioned by the government to develop the body of knowledge about the release of microplastics from road traffic. Additional examples of research and development measures include assessing treatment techniques from road surface water, compiling the current research on how to reduce wastage and the dispersion of particles from artificial turf pitches, screening microplastics, and measuring the amounts of plastic particles released during boat hull cleaning. Furthermore, in our inventory of next year’s research requirements, the Swedish EPA will take into account the need for increased knowledge about the origin, distribution and impact of microplastics on the environment.

Per-procurement purchasing group

A per-procurement purchasing group is a multi-year collaboration among various contracting authorities who aim to improve the quality of procurement by jointly building up a knowledge base and collaborating on requirements and procurement methods. We have assessed that such purchasing groups represent an effective way of gathering and building up knowledge, and of finding new solutions for developing not only artificial turf pitches but advanced treatment techniques for the advanced treatment of wastewater and stormwater. During 2017, the Swedish EPA will launch a purchasing group for reduced environmental impact from artificial turf pitches and will investigate funding opportunities for additional purchasing groups.

Guidance

Guidance for regulators and operators serve several purposes. These include laying the framework for equal and effective supervision, clarifying regulations, and contributing to better self-regulation. The Swedish EPA will develop guidance that serves a three-fold purpose: to increase control of combined sewer overflows (untreated or incompletely treated discharges of water from sewers or wastewater treatment plants); to determine how to apply legislation on the use of rubber granules in artificial turf pitches; and to establish measures to minimize material losses in the production and management of primary plastics.

Information

Several information initiatives are proposed, mainly in the area of textiles, such as information to consumers on what steps they can take to reduce the release of microplastics due to the use and laundering of textiles made of synthetic fibres, and even on how to prevent littering. The Swedish EPA, together with the Swedish Chemicals Agency, is also planning to hold a workshop on microplastics caused by synthetic fibres.

Actions in the EU and international arenas

A number of initiatives are ongoing at both EU and international levels that aim to prevent and manage the prevalence of microplastics in the oceans. Sweden must continue to take part in relevant EU and international efforts so that it can benefit from the resulting knowledge and can contribute to and influence the development of measures that have an impact on environmental and sustainability goals, both nationally and globally.

Of the sources of microplastics highlighted in this report, the EU actions deemed most relevant are the reduction of tyre wear and microplastics impact caused by washing synthetic textiles. Together with the Swedish Energy Agency, we propose that Sweden (1) examine the possibility of developing EU energy labelling of tyres to include durability and (2) work towards developing eco-design rules for washing machines. In connection with the revision of the reference document for textile production under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, we further propose that the Swedish EPA take action to produce supporting data on the release of microplastics from production processes in the textile industry.

Sweden should leverage the information gained from international processes to expand the knowledge base and develop actions nationally. We can also contribute with our own experiences. This commission specifically identifies the work of the regional sea conventions HELCOM and OSPAR as important arenas.

Conclusions

In this report, we describe the steps that need to be taken in the short and long terms to prevent and reduce the distribution of microplastics from land-based sources to oceans, lakes and waterways in Sweden. The information collected here constitutes a platform for future efforts. The proposed measures serve as a first guiding step, and should be developed and supplemented as knowledge is gained.

Microplastics pose an environmental problem across all sectors of society, a problem that does not have a simple solution. Yet there are many parallels with measures aimed at reducing emissions of undesirable substances in general. Therefore, the Swedish EPA believes that it is important to take advantage of the synergies that exist and not reinvent the wheel.

The work on this government commission has put microplastics on the agenda. Several voluntary activities at different levels are already ongoing in Sweden which aim to advance knowledge about microplastics and how their release is best prevented and minimized. Reducing the occurrence of microplastics in oceans, lakes and waterways requires the contribution of knowledge and actions from stakeholders at all levels of society.